And Now The Straight Man In My Mind Poem by RIC BASTASA

like poles repel
that is the straight man's dire strait
fearing what likeness he has in the mirror
of his world, shying away from the possibilities
of love and loving the person who needs it
more and worst than anybody
the confused, the disturbed wants him loved
and hugged and just even to share a drink with him
in one of the loneliest nights in their lives
he cannot love any one like him
he has not known what love is
the one that gives
and never takes
something in return

straight man in dire straits of possibilities
how can you ever love the one who loves you most?